ASQ Now Offers Lean Certification

Milwaukee, WI - ASQ (American Society for Quality) is now offering quality professionals Lean Certification,
as part of the Society’s 17 certification programs. ASQ is the newest
sponsor of the Lean Certification program along with the Society of
Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association for Manufacturing
Excellence (AME) and The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence. The
SME-AME-The Shingo Prize-ASQ Lean Certification is the only true lean
certification available.

The first
administration of the Lean Certification exam for ASQ is scheduled at
the World Conference on Quality and Improvement, http://wcqi.asq.org/, Sunday, May 23, 2010.

Launched in 2006, the Lean Certification
program has three levels: bronze certification emphasizes the tactical
aspects of lean; silver is based on integration of lean; and the gold
focuses on lean’s strategic facets.

"Our
members encouraged us to support the Lean Certification Alliance," said
Paul Borawski, ASQ executive director and chief strategic
officer. "They wanted a common certification standard that was aligned
to industry and had already gained acceptance within the manufacturing
community. Additionally, the Lean Certification was developed to be
portable between industries, and with ASQ’s growing interests in
healthcare, service and other sectors, a portable credential met member
needs."

ASQ members will receive the
member discount rate for the Lean Certification program. ASQ will also
have member representatives on the Oversight Body for the certification
program who will equally contribute to ensuring the overall integrity
of the certification process.

"ASQ
joining this collaborate effort truly aligns leading organizations to a
single standard for lean certification, providing manufacturers, their
supply chains and employees with a road map for work force
development," said Mark C. Tomlinson, SME’s executive director and
general manager.
The Society of
Manufacturing Engineers is the managing partner of this alliance, and
will handle the administrative aspects of the program.

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